Swimming rules for the safety of all

(Sentinel photo by Joyce Kaiser) Le Mars Municipal Swimming Pool 2009 lifeguard staff members are, front row (from left) -- Jesa Wolthuizen, Alli Holtgrewe, Dani DenOuden, director aquatic center Angela Loutsch, Cayla Price and Morgan Rolfes. Back row -- Brian Kehm, Sadie Arens, Breanne Needs, Kaitlyn Popkin, Sarah Wilken, Tiranee Ruchti, Emilly Lake, Sarah Wells, Liz Koele, Amber DeRocher, Megan Tentinger, Brandon Kellen and Devin DeRocher. [Click to enlarge]

Of all of the things that represent summer, swimming is near the top of the list.

There are few activities more fun than taking a refreshing dip in the pool with friends on a scorching day.

But for everyone to enjoy this summer pastime, there are rules that need to be adhered to.

(Sentinel photo by Luke Widbin) Lifeguards at the YMCA Le Mars Outdoor Pool watch carefully as people enjoy the day in the sun Wednesday. [Click to enlarge]

Swimming pool etiquette is not only important so all can have a relaxing day without being splashed, but it is also for the safety of those in the water.

"There are the general rules like no running, stay off the diving board until the person below has exited, no rough play," said Angela Loutsch, YMCA aquatic director. "People in Le Mars are usually pretty good about following the rules."

Loutsch thinks that most of the broken rules at the YMCA Le Mars Outdoor Pool are not due to a discipline problem, but more so a lack of education.

One of those issues that is being heavily enforced this year is the use of plastic pants for children in diapers.

"The plastic pants reduce water contamination," Loutsch said. "Swim diapers will not keep fecal matter out of the pool. If we see anything like that, we have to close down the pool, so it's very important the pants be worn over the swim diapers."

The plastic pants for young children can be purchased at the swimming pool or at any major retailer.

The Le Mars Outdoor Pool requires everyone to follow "The Six PLEAs," a national set of swimming guidelines put out by the Center of Disease Control.

1. Please don't swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick. This is especially important for babies and toddlers in swim diapers.

2. Please don't swallow the pool water.

3. Please practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.

4. Please take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.

5. Please change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and cause illness.

6. Please wash your child thoroughly (especially his/her bottom) with a baby wipe or soap and water before swimming.

Another important thing to note is although no outside food or beverage allowed in the pool, non-insulated water bottles are fine.

"It's important that our swimmers stay hydrated," Loutsch said. "When swimming, it's important to avoid the 'too's' -- too hot, too cold, too hungry, too much sun."

Jesa Wolthuizen, a lifeguard at the Le Mars Outdoor Pool in her fourth year, said life jackets and inflatables are another common rule infraction.

"We only allow life jackets in the pool if they're U.S. Coast Guard approved," Wolthuizen said. "Most of the people around Le Mars know this by now, but those from out of town that visit the pool don't know that we don't allow inner tubes or arm floaties."

Vacating the pool during a safety break is also a very important rule.

"Some think our safety breaks are for the lifeguards to take a break and chat, that's not true," Loutsch said. "During that time, we check the pool for debris or contaminants to make sure the water is safe."

Safety breaks also provide a chance for families to get together again to hydrate or apply sun screen.

"We don't want any heat-related injuries, so hydrating during this time is good idea," Loutsch said.

The breaks also provide lifeguards a chance to see if anyone has been injured or rendered unconscious, something Loutsch hopes to never see.

Lifeguards will be performing Lifeguard Alertness Tests (LAT) during normal swim times throughout the summer to make sure they are ready for an emergency situation.

"During a LAT drill, we set up a mock situation with either a staff member or dummies," she said. "This is a chance for our lifeguards to practice and for people see our staff in action."

Loutsch explained how hard it is to get effective training when no one is in the pool.

With the LAT drills being performed during public hours, it will be a good simulation to see how soon the lifeguards on duty will respond.

"It's good to see if the staff is aware and alert and knows what to do," she said. "People have said they don't mind being pulled out of the water and like watching."

With July just beginning, Wolthuizen says this is her favorite time of the year at the swimming pool.

"By this time, you start to know a lot of the kids and parents that are going in to your pool," she said. "You know a lot of the kids through swimming lessons and the ones that come everyday -- it just helps to know who you're watching. It's important to have that connection."

So how has Le Mars measured up to the rules this year?

"So far we've had a pretty good summer," Loutsch said.